HisrefusalofRalph’sovertureswasvaguelydisconcerting。fromthemomenthedeclinedtocometoGardencourtourfriendbegantothinkhimofimportance。HeaskedhimselfwhatitsignifiedtohimwhetherIsabel’sadmirersshouldbedesperadoesorlaggards。theywerenotrivalsofhisandwereperfectlywelcometoactouttheirgenius。
NeverthelesshefeltmuchcuriosityastotheresultofMissStackpole’spromisedenquiryintothecausesofMr。Goodwood’sstiffness-acuriosityforthepresentungratified，inasmuchaswhenheaskedherthreedayslaterifshehadwrittentoLondonshewasobligedtoconfessshehadwritteninvain。Mr。Goodwoodhadnotreplied。
Isupposehe’sthinkingitover，shesaid。hethinkseverythingover。he’snotreallyatallimpetuous。ButI’maccustomedtohavingmylettersansweredthesameday。ShepresentlyproposedtoIsabel，atallevents，thattheyshouldmakeanexcursiontoLondontogether。IfImusttellthetruth，sheobserved，I’mnotseeingmuchatthisplace，andIshouldn’tthinkyouwereeither。I’venotevenseenthataristocrat-what’shisname？-LordWashburton。Heseemstoletyouseverelyalone。
LordWarburton’scomingto-morrow，Ihappentoknow，repliedherfriend，whohadreceivedanotefromthemasterofLockleighinanswertoherownletter。You’llhaveeveryopportunityofturninghiminsideout。
Well，hemaydoforoneletter，butwhat’soneletterwhenyouwanttowritefifty？I’vedescribedallthesceneryinthisvicinityandravedaboutalltheoldwomenanddonkeys。Youmaysaywhatyouplease，scenerydoesn’tmakeavitalletter。ImustgobacktoLondonandgetsomeimpressionsofreallife。IwastherebutthreedaysbeforeIcameaway，andthat’shardlytimetogetintouch。
AsIsabel，onherjourneyfromNewYorktoGardencourt，hadseenevenlessoftheBritishcapitalthanthis，itappearedahappysuggestionofHenrietta’sthatthetwoshouldgothitheronavisitofpleasure。TheideastruckIsabelascharming。shewascuriousofthethickdetailofLondon，whichhadalwaysloomedlargeandrichtoher。
Theyturnedovertheirschemestogetherandindulgedinvisionsofromantichours。Theywouldstayatsomepicturesqueoldinn-oneoftheinnsdescribedbyDickens-anddriveoverthetowninthosedelightfulhansoms。Henriettawasaliterarywoman，andthegreatadvantageofbeingaliterarywomanwasthatyoucouldgoeverywhereanddoeverything。Theywoulddineatacoffee-houseandgoafterwardstotheplay。theywouldfrequenttheAbbeyandtheBritishMuseumandfindoutwhereDoctorJohnsonhadlived，andGoldsmithandAddison。IsabelgreweagerandpresentlyunveiledthebrightvisiontoRalph，whoburstintoafitoflaughterwhichscarceexpressedthesympathyshehaddesired。
It’sadelightfulplan，hesaid。IadviseyoutogototheDuke’sHeadinCoventGarden，aneasy，informal，old-fashionedplace，andI’llhaveyouputdownatmyclub。
Doyoumeanit’simproper？Isabelasked。Dearme，isn’tanythingproperhere？WithHenriettasurelyImaygoanywhere。sheisn’thamperedinthatway。ShehastravelledoverthewholeAmericancontinentandcanatleastfindherwayaboutthisminuteisland。
Ahthen，saidRalph，letmetakeadvantageofherprotectiontogouptotownaswell。Imayneverhaveachancetotravelsosafely！
CHAPTER14
MissStackpolewouldhavepreparedtostartimmediately。butIsabel，aswehaveseen，hadbeennotifiedthatLordWarburtonwouldcomeagaintoGardencourt，andshebelieveditherdutytoremainthereandseehim。Forfourorfivedayshehadmadenoresponsetoherletter。thenhehadwritten，verybriefly，tosayhewouldcometoluncheontwodayslater。Therewassomethinginthesedelaysandpostponementsthattouchedthegirlandrenewedhersenseofhisdesiretobeconsiderateandpatient，nottoappeartourgehertoogrossly。aconsiderationthemorestudiedthatshewassosurehereallylikedher。Isabeltoldheruncleshehadwrittentohim，mentioningalsohisintentionofcoming。andtheoldman，inconsequence，lefthisroomearlierthanusualandmadehisappearanceatthetwoo’clockrepast。Thiswasbynomeansanactofvigilanceonhispart，butthefruitofabenevolentbeliefthathisbeingofthecompanymighthelptocoveranyconjoinedstrayingawayincaseIsabelshouldgivetheirnoblevisitoranotherhearing。ThatpersonagedroveoverfromLockleighandbroughttheelderofhissisterswithhim，ameasurepresumablydictatedbyreflexionsofthesameorderasMr。Touchett’s。ThetwovisitorswereintroducedtoMissStackpole，who，atluncheon，occupiedaseatadjoiningLordWarburton’s。Isabel，whowasnervousandhadnorelishfortheprospectofagainarguingthequestionhehadsoprematurelyopened，couldnothelpadmiringhisgood-humouredself-possession，whichquitedisguisedthesymptomsofthatpreoccupationwithherpresenceitwasnaturalsheshouldsupposehimtofeel。Heneitherlookedathernorspoketoher，andtheonlysignofhisemotionwasthatheavoidedmeetinghereyes。Hehadplentyoftalkfortheothers，however，andheappearedtoeathisluncheonwithdiscriminationandappetite。MissMolyneux，whohadasmooth，nun-likeforeheadandworealargesilvercrosssuspendedfromherneck，wasevidentlypreoccupiedwithHenriettaStackpole，uponwhomhereyesconstantlyrestedinamannersuggestingaconflictbetweendeepalienationandyearningwonder。OfthetwoladiesfromLockleighshewastheoneIsabelhadlikedbest。therewassuchaworldofhereditaryquietinher。
IsabelwassuremoreoverthathermildforeheadandsilvercrossreferredtosomeweirdAnglicanmystery-somedelightfulreinstitutionperhapsofthequaintofficeofthecanoness。ShewonderedwhatMissMolyneuxwouldthinkofherifsheknewMissArcherhadrefusedherbrother。andthenshefeltsurethatMissMolyneuxwouldneverknow-
thatLordWarburtonnevertoldhersuchthings。Hewasfondofherandkindtoher，butonthewholehetoldherlittle。Such，atleast，wasIsabel’stheory。when，attable，shewasnotoccupiedinconversationshewasusuallyoccupiedinformingtheoriesaboutherneighbours。AccordingtoIsabel，ifMissMolyneuxshouldeverlearnwhathadpassedbetweenMissArcherandLordWarburtonshewouldprobablybeshockedatsuchagirl’sfailuretorise。orno，ratherthiswasourheroine’slastpositionshewouldimputetotheyoungAmericanbutadueconsciousnessofinequality。
WhateverIsabelmighthavemadeofheropportunities，atallevents，HenriettaStackpolewasbynomeansdisposedtoneglectthoseinwhichshenowfoundherselfimmersed。Doyouknowyou’rethefirstlordI’veeverseen？shesaidverypromptlytoherneighbour。IsupposeyouthinkI’mawfullybenighted。
You’veescapedseeingsomeveryuglymen，LordWarburtonanswered，lookingatrifleabsentlyaboutthetable。
Aretheyveryugly？TheytrytomakeusbelieveinAmericathatthey’reallhandsomeandmagnificentandthattheywearwonderfulrobesandcrowns。
Ah，therobesandcrownsaregoneoutoffashion，saidLordWarburton，likeyourtomahawksandrevolvers。
I’msorryforthat。Ithinkanaristocracyoughttobesplendid，
Henriettadeclared。Ifit’snotthat，whatisit？
Oh，youknow，itisn’tmuch，atthebest，herneighbourallowed。
Won’tyouhaveapotato？
Idon’tcaremuchfortheseEuropeanpotatoes。Ishouldn’tknowyoufromanordinaryAmericangentleman。
DotalktomeasifIwereone，saidLordWarburton。Idon’tseehowyoumanagetogetonwithoutpotatoes。youmustfindsofewthingstoeatoverhere。
Henriettawassilentalittle。therewasachancehewasnotsincere。I’vehadhardlyanyappetitesinceI’vebeenhere，shewentonatlast。soitdoesn’tmuchmatter。Idon’tapproveofyou，youknow。IfeelasifIoughttotellyouthat。
Don’tapproveofme？
Yes。Idon’tsupposeanyoneeversaidsuchathingtoyoubefore，didthey？Idon’tapproveoflordsasaninstitution。I
thinktheworldhasgotbeyondthem-farbeyond。
Oh，sodoI。Idon’tapproveofmyselfintheleast。Sometimesitcomesoverme-howIshouldobjecttomyselfifIwerenotmyself，don’tyouknow？Butthat’srathergood，bytheway-nottobevainglorious。
Whydon’tyougiveitupthen？MissStackpoleenquired。
Giveup-a-？askedLordWarburton，meetingherharshinflexionwithaverymellowone。
Giveupbeingalord。
Oh，I’msolittleofone！OnewouldreallyforgetallaboutitifyouwretchedAmericanswerenotconstantlyremindingone。However，I
dothinkofgivingitup，thelittlethereisleftofit，oneofthesedays。
Ishouldliketoseeyoudoit！Henriettaexclaimedrathergrimly。
I’llinviteyoutotheceremony。we’llhaveasupperandadance。
Well，saidMissStackpole，Iliketoseeallsides。Idon’tapproveofaprivilegedclass，butIliketohearwhattheyhavetosayforthemselves。
Mightylittle，asyousee！
Ishouldliketodrawyououtalittlemore，Henriettacontinued。Butyou’realwayslookingaway。You’reafraidofmeetingmyeye。Iseeyouwanttoescapeme。
No，I’monlylookingforthosedespisedpotatoes。
Pleaseexplainaboutthatyounglady-yoursister-then。Idon’tunderstandabouther。IssheaLady？
She’sacapitalgoodgirl。
Idon’tlikethewayyousaythat-asifyouwantedtochangethesubject。Isherpositioninferiortoyours？
Weneitherofushaveanypositiontospeakof。butshe’sbetteroffthanI，becauseshehasnoneofthebother。
Yes，shedoesn’tlookasifshehadmuchbother。IwishIhadaslittlebotherasthat。Youdoproducequietpeopleoverhere，whateverelseyoumaydo。
Ah，youseeonetakeslifeeasily，onthewhole，saidLordWarburton。Andthenyouknowwe’reverydull。Ah，wecanbedullwhenwetry！
Ishouldadviseyoutotrysomethingelse。Ishouldn’tknowwhattotalktoyoursisterabout。shelookssodifferent。Isthatsilvercrossabadge？
Abadge？
Asignofrank。
LordWarburton’sglancehadwanderedagooddeal，butatthisitmetthegazeofhisneighbour。Ohyes，heansweredinamoment。thewomengoinforthosethings。ThesilvercrossiswornbytheeldestdaughtersofViscounts。WhichwashisharmlessrevengeforhavingoccasionallyhadhiscredulitytooeasilyengagedinAmerica。AfterluncheonheproposedtoIsabeltocomeintothegalleryandlookatthepictures。andthoughsheknewhehadseenthepicturestwentytimesshecompliedwithoutcriticizingthispretext。Herconsciencenowwasveryeasy。eversinceshesenthimherlettershehadfeltparticularlylightofspirit。Hewalkedslowlytotheendofthegallery，staringatitscontentsandsayingnothing。andthenhesuddenlybrokeout：Ihopedyouwouldn’twritetomethatway。
Itwastheonlyway，LordWarburton，saidthegirl。Dotryandbelievethat。
IfIcouldbelieveitofcourseIshouldletyoualone。Butwecan’tbelievebywillingit。andIconfessIdon’tunderstand。Icouldunderstandyourdislikingme。thatIcouldunderstandwell。Butthatyoushouldadmityoudo-
WhathaveIadmitted？Isabelinterrupted，turningslightlypale。
Thatyouthinkmeagoodfellow。isn’tthatit？Shesaidnothing，andhewenton：Youdon’tseemtohaveanyreason，andthatgivesmeasenseofinjustice。
Ihaveareason，LordWarburton。Shesaiditinatonethatmadehisheartcontract。
Ishouldlikeverymuchtoknowit。
I’lltellyousomedaywhenthere’smoretoshowforit。
ExcusemysayingthatinthemeantimeImustdoubtofit。
Youmakemeveryunhappy，saidIsabel。
I’mnotsorryforthat。itmayhelpyoutoknowhowIfeel。Willyoukindlyanswermeaquestion？Isabelmadenoaudibleassent，butheapparentlysawinhereyessomethingthatgavehimcouragetogoon。Doyouprefersomeoneelse？
That’saquestionI’drathernotanswer。
Ah，youdothen！hersuitormurmuredwithbitterness。
Thebitternesstouchedher，andshecriedout：You’remistaken！I
don’t。
Hesatdownonabench，unceremoniously，doggedly，likeamanintrouble。leaninghiselbowsonhiskneesandstaringatthefloor。
Ican’tevenbegladofthat，hesaidatlast，throwinghimselfbackagainstthewall。forthatwouldbeanexcuse。
Sheraisedhereyebrowsinsurprise。Anexcuse？MustIexcusemyself？
Hepaid，however，noanswertothequestion。Anotherideahadcomeintohishead。Isitmypoliticalopinions？DoyouthinkIgotoofar？
Ican’tobjecttoyourpoliticalopinions，becauseIdon’tunderstandthem。
Youdon’tcarewhatIthink！hecried，gettingup。It’sallthesametoyou。
Isabelwalkedtotheothersideofthegalleryandstoodthereshowinghimhercharmingback，herlightslimfigure，thelengthofherwhiteneckasshebentherhead，andthedensityofherdarkbraids。Shestoppedinfrontofasmallpictureasifforthepurposeofexaminingit。andtherewassomethingsoyoungandfreeinhermovementthatherverypliancyseemedtomockathim。Hereyes，however，sawnothing。theyhadsuddenlybeensuffusedwithtears。Inamomenthefollowedher，andbythistimeshehadbrushedhertearsaway。butwhensheturnedroundherfacewaspaleandtheexpressionofhereyesstrange。ThatreasonthatIwouldn’ttellyou-I’lltellityouafterall。It’sthatIcan’tescapemyfate。
Yourfate？
IshouldtrytoescapeitifIweretomarryyou。
Idon’tunderstand。Whyshouldnotthatbeyourfateaswellasanythingelse？
Becauseit’snot，saidIsabelfemininely。Iknowit’snot。It’snotmyfatetogiveup-Iknowitcan’tbe。
PoorLordWarburtonstared，aninterrogativepointineithereye。
Doyoucallmarryingmegivingup？
Notintheusualsense。It’sgetting-getting-gettingagreatdeal。Butit’sgivingupotherchances。
Otherchancesforwhat？
Idon’tmeanchancestomarry，saidIsabel，hercolourquicklycomingbacktoher。Andthenshestopped，lookingdownwithadeepfrown，asifitwerehopelesstoattempttomakehermeaningclear。
Idon’tthinkitpresumptuousinmetosuggestthatyou’llgainmorethanyou’lllose，hercompanionobserved。
Ican’tescapeunhappiness，saidIsabel。InmarryingyouI
shallbetryingto。
Idon’tknowwhetheryou’dtryto，butyoucertainlywould：thatImustincandouradmit！heexclaimedwithananxiouslaugh。
Imustn’t-Ican’t！criedthegirl。
Well，ifyou’rebentonbeingmiserableIdon’tseewhyyoushouldmakemeso。Whatevercharmsalifeofmiserymayhaveforyou，ithasnoneforme。
I’mnotbentonalifeofmisery，saidIsabel。I’vealwaysbeenintenselydeterminedtobehappy，andI’veoftenbelievedIshouldbe。
I’vetoldpeoplethat。youcanaskthem。ButitcomesovermeeverynowandthenthatIcanneverbehappyinanyextraordinaryway。notbyturningaway，byseparatingmyself。
Byseparatingyourselffromwhat？
Fromlife。Fromtheusualchancesanddangers，fromwhatmostpeopleknowandsuffer。
LordWarburtonbrokeintoasmilethatalmostdenotedhope。Why，mydearMissArcher，hebegantoexplainwiththemostconsiderateeagerness，Idon’tofferyouanyexonerationfromlifeorfromanychancesordangerswhatever。IwishIcould。dependuponitIwould！
Forwhatdoyoutakeme，pray？Heavenhelpme，I’mnottheEmperorofChina！AllIofferyouisthechanceoftakingthecommonlotinacomfortablesortofway。Thecommonlot？Why，I’mdevotedtothecommonlot！Strikeanalliancewithme，andIpromiseyouthatyoushallhaveplentyofit。Youshallseparatefromnothingwhatever-notevenfromyourfriendMissStackpole。
She’dneverapproveofit，saidIsabel，tryingtosmileandtakeadvantageofthisside-issue。despisingherselftoo，notalittle，fordoingso。
ArewespeakingofMissStackpole？hislordshipaskedimpatiently。
Ineversawapersonjudgethingsonsuchtheoreticgrounds。
NowIsupposeyou’respeakingofme，saidIsabelwithhumility。
andsheturnedawayagain，forshesawMissMolyneuxenterthegallery，accompaniedbyHenriettaandbyRalph。
LordWarburton’ssisteraddressedhimwithacertaintimidityandremindedhimsheoughttoreturnhomeintimefortea，asshewasexpectingcompanytopartakeofit。Hemadenoanswer-apparentlynothavingheardher。hewaspreoccupied，andwithgoodreason。MissMolyneux-asifhehadbeenRoyalty-stoodlikealady-in-waiting。
Well，Inever，MissMolyneux！saidHenriettaStackpole。IfI
wantedtogohe’dhavetogo。IfIwantedmybrothertodoathinghe’dhavetodoit。
Oh，Warburtondoeseverythingonewants，MissMolyneuxansweredwithaquick，shylaugh。Howverymanypicturesyouhave！shewenton，turningtoRalph。
Theylookagoodmany，becausethey’reallputtogether，saidRalph。Butit’sreallyabadway。
Oh，Ithinkit’ssonice。IwishwehadagalleryatLockleigh。I’msoveryfondofpictures，MissMolyneuxwenton，persistently，toRalph，asifshewereafraidMissStackpolewouldaddressheragain。
Henriettaappearedatoncetofascinateandtofrightenher。
Ahyes，picturesareveryconvenient，saidRalph，whoappearedtoknowbetterwhatstyleofreflexionwasacceptabletoher。
They’resoverypleasantwhenitrains，theyoungladycontinued。Ithasrainedoflatesoveryoften。
I’msorryyou’regoingaway，LordWarburton，saidHenrietta。I
wantedtogetagreatdealmoreoutofyou。
I’mnotgoingaway，LordWarburtonanswered。
Yoursistersaysyoumust。InAmericathegentlemenobeytheladies。
I’mafraidwehavesomepeopletotea，saidMissMolyneux，lookingatherbrother。
Verygood，mydear。We’llgo。
Ihopedyouwouldresist！Henriettaexclaimed。IwantedtoseewhatMissMolyneuxwoulddo。
Ineverdoanything，saidthisyounglady。
Isupposeinyourpositionit’ssufficientforyoutoexist！
MissStackpolereturned。Ishouldlikeverymuchtoseeyouathome。
YoumustcometoLockleighagain，saidMissMolyneux，verysweetly，toIsabel，ignoringthisremarkofIsabel’sfriend。
Isabellookedintoherquieteyesamoment，andforthatmomentseemedtoseeintheirgreydepthsthereflexionofeverythingshehadrejectedinrejectingLordWarburton-thepeace，thekindness，thehonour，thepossessions，adeepsecurityandagreatexclusion。ShekissedMissMolyneuxandthenshesaid：I’mafraidIcannevercomeagain。
Neveragain？
I’mafraidI’mgoingaway。
Oh，I’msoverysorry，saidMissMolyneux。Ithinkthat’ssoverywrongofyou。
LordWarburtonwatchedthislittlepassage。thenheturnedawayandstaredatapicture。Ralph，leaningagainsttherailbeforethepicturewithhishandsinhispockets，hadforthemomentbeenwatchinghim。
Ishouldliketoseeyouathome，saidHenrietta，whomLordWarburtonfoundbesidehim。Ishouldlikeanhour’stalkwithyou。
thereareagreatmanyquestionsIwishtoaskyou。
Ishallbedelightedtoseeyou，theproprietorofLockleighanswered。butI’mcertainnottobeabletoanswermanyofyourquestions。Whenwillyoucome？
WheneverMissArcherwilltakeme。We’rethinkingofgoingtoLondon，butwe’llgoandseeyoufirst。I’mdeterminedtogetsomesatisfactionoutofyou。
IfitdependsuponMissArcherI’mafraidyouwon’tgetmuch。Shewon’tcometoLockleigh。shedoesn’tliketheplace。
Shetoldmeitwaslovely！saidHenrietta。
LordWarburtonhesitated。Shewon’tcome，allthesame。Youhadbettercomealone，headded。
Henriettastraightenedherself，andherlargeeyesexpanded。
WouldyoumakethatremarktoanEnglishlady？sheenquiredwithsoftasperity。
LordWarburtonstared。Yes，ifIlikedherenough。
You’dbecarefulnottolikeherenough。IfMissArcherwon’tvisityourplaceagainit’sbecauseshedoesn’twanttotakeme。Iknowwhatshethinksofme，andIsupposeyouthinkthesame-thatIoughtn’ttobringinindividuals。LordWarburtonwasataloss。hehadnotbeenmadeacquaintedwithMissStackpole’sprofessionalcharacterandfailedtocatchherallusion。MissArcherhasbeenwarningyou！
shethereforewenton。
Warningme？
Isn’tthatwhyshecameoffalonewithyouhere-toputyouonyourguard？
Ohdear，no，saidLordWarburtonbrazenly。ourtalkhadnosuchsolemncharacterasthat。
Well，you’vebeenonyourguard-intensely。Isupposeit’snaturaltoyou。that’sjustwhatIwantedtoobserve。Andso，too，MissMolyneux-shewouldn’tcommitherself。Youhavebeenwarned，anyway，Henriettacontinued，addressingthisyounglady。butforyouitwasn’tnecessary。
Ihopenot，saidMissMolyneuxvaguely。
MissStackpoletakesnotes，Ralphsoothinglyexplained。She’sagreatsatirist。sheseesthroughusallandsheworksusup。
Well，ImustsayIneverhavehadsuchacollectionofhadmaterial！Henriettadeclared，lookingfromIsabeltoLordWarburtonandfromthisnoblemantohissisterandtoRalph。There’ssomethingthematterwithyouall。you’reasdismalasifyouhadgotabadcable。
Youdoseethroughus，MissStackpole，saidRalphinalowtone，givingheralittleintelligentnodasheledthepartyoutofthegallery。There’ssomethingthematterwithusall。
Isabelcamebehindthesetwo。MissMolyneux，whodecidedlylikedherimmensely，hadtakenherarm，towalkbesideheroverthepolishedfloor。LordWarburtonstrolledontheothersidewithhishandsbehindhimandhiseyeslowered。Forsomemomentshesaidnothing。andthen，Isittrueyou’regoingtoLondon？heasked。
Ibelieveithasbeenarranged。
Andwhenshallyoucomeback？
Inafewdays。butprobablyforaveryshorttime。I’mgoingtoPariswithmyaunt。
When，then，shallIseeyouagain？
Notforagoodwhile，saidIsabel。Butsomedayorother，I
hope。
Doyoureallyhopeit？
Verymuch。
Hewentafewstepsinsilence。thenhestoppedandputouthishand。Good-bye。
Good-bye，saidIsabel。
MissMolyneuxkissedheragain，andsheletthetwodepart。Afterit，withoutrejoiningHenriettaandRalph，sheretreatedtoherownroom。inwhichapartment，beforedinner，shewasfoundbyMrs。
Touchett，whohadstoppedonherwaytothesaloon。Imayaswelltellyou，saidthatlady，thatyourunclehasinformedmeofyourrelationswithLordWarburton。
Isabelconsidered。Relations？They’rehardlyrelations。That’sthestrangepartofit：hehasseenmebutthreeorfourtimes。
Whydidyoutellyouruncleratherthanme？Mrs。Touchettdispassionatelyasked。
Againthegirlhesitated。BecauseheknowsLordWarburtonbetter。
Yes，butIknowyoubetter。
I’mnotsureofthat，saidIsabel，smiling。
NeitheramI，afterall。especiallywhenyougivemethatratherconceitedlook。Onewouldthinkyouwereawfullypleasedwithyourselfandhadcarriedoffaprize！IsupposethatwhenyourefuseanofferlikeLordWarburton’sit’sbecauseyouexpecttodosomethingbetter。
Ah，myuncledidn’tsaythat！criedIsabel，smilingstill。
CHAPTER15
IthadbeenarrangedthatthetwoyoungladiesshouldproceedtoLondonunderRalph’sescort，thoughMrs。Touchettlookedwithlittlefavourontheplan。Itwasjustthesortofplan，shesaid，thatMissStackpolewouldbesuretosuggest，andsheenquiredifthecorrespondentoftheInterviewerwastotakethepartytostayataboarding-house。
Idon’tcarewhereshetakesustostay，solongasthere’slocalcolour，saidIsabel。That’swhatwe’regoingtoLondonfor。
IsupposethatafteragirlhasrefusedanEnglishlordshemaydoanything，herauntrejoined。Afterthatoneneedn’tstandontrifles。
ShouldyouhavelikedmetomarryLordWarburton？Isabelenquired。
OfcourseIshould。
IthoughtyoudislikedtheEnglishsomuch。
SoIdo。butit’sallthegreaterreasonformakinguseofthem。
Isthatyourideaofmarriage？AndIsabelventuredtoaddthatherauntappearedtohertohavemadeverylittleuseofMr。Touchett。
Youruncle’snotanEnglishnobleman，saidMrs。Touchett，thoughevenifhehadbeenIshouldstillprobablyhavetakenupmyresidenceinFlorence。
DoyouthinkLordWarburtoncouldmakemeanybetterthanIam？
thegirlaskedwithsomeanimation。Idon’tmeanI’mtoogoodtoimprove。Imean-ImeanthatIdon’tloveLordWarburtonenoughtomarryhim。
Youdidrighttorefusehimthen，saidMrs。Touchettinhersmallest，sparestvoice。Only，thenextgreatofferyouget，Ihopeyou’llmanagetocomeuptoyourstandard。
Wehadbetterwaittilltheoffercomesbeforewetalkaboutit。
IhopeverymuchImayhavenomoreoffersforthepresent。Theyupsetmecompletely。
Youprobablywon’tbetroubledwiththemifyouadoptpermanentlytheBohemianmanneroflife。However，I’vepromisedRalphnottocriticize。
I’lldowhateverRalphsaysisright，Isabelreturned。I’veunboundedconfidenceinRalph。
Hismother’smuchobligedtoyou！thisladydrylylaughed。
Itseemstomeindeedsheoughttofeelit！Isabelirrepressiblyanswered。
Ralphhadassuredherthattherewouldbenoviolationofdecencyintheirpayingavisit-thelittlepartyofthree-tothesightsofthemetropolis。butMrs。Touchetttookadifferentview。LikemanyladiesofhercountrywhohadlivedalongtimeinEurope，shehadcompletelylosthernativetactonsuchpoints，andinherreaction，notinitselfdeplorable，againstthelibertyallowedtoyoungpersonsbeyondtheseas，hadfallenintogratuitousandexaggeratedscruples。RalphaccompaniedtheirvisitorstotownandestablishedthemataquietinninastreetthatranatrightanglestoPiccadilly。Hisfirstideahadbeentotakethemtohisfather’shouseinWinchesterSquare，alarge，dullmansionwhichatthisperiodoftheyearwasshroudedinsilenceandbrownholland。buthebethoughthimselfthat，thecookbeingatGardencourt，therewasnooneinthehousetogetthemtheirmeals，andPratt’sHotelaccordinglybecametheirresting-place。Ralph，onhisside，foundquartersinWinchesterSquare，havingadenthereofwhichhewasveryfondandbeingfamiliarwithdeeperfearsthanthatofacoldkitchen。HeavailedhimselflargelyindeedoftheresourcesofPratt’sHotel，beginninghisdaywithanearlyvisittohisfellowtravellers，whohadMr。Prattinperson，inalargebulgingwhitewaistcoat，toremovetheirdishcovers。Ralphturnedup，ashesaid，afterbreakfast，andthelittlepartymadeoutaschemeofentertainmentfortheday。AsLondonwearsinthemonthofSeptemberafaceblankbutforitssmearsofpriorservice，theyoungman，whooccasionallytookanapologetictone，wasobligedtoremindhiscompanion，toMissStackpole’shighderision，thattherewasn’tacreatureintown。
Isupposeyoumeanthearistocracyareabsent，Henriettaanswered。
butIdon’tthinkyoucouldhaveabetterproofthatiftheywereabsentaltogethertheywouldn’tbemissed。Itseemstometheplaceisaboutasfullasitcanbe。There’snoonehere，ofcourse，butthreeorfourmillionsofpeople。Whatisityoucallthem-thelower-middleclass？They’reonlythepopulationofLondon，andthat’sofnoconsequence。
RalphdeclaredthatforhimthearistocracyleftnovoidthatMissStackpoleherselfdidn’tfill，andthatamorecontentedmanwasnowhereatthatmomenttobefound。Inthishespokethetruth，forthestaleSeptemberdays，inthehugehalf-emptytown，hadacharmwrappedinthemasacolouredgemmightbewrappedinadustycloth。
WhenhewenthomeatnighttotheemptyhouseinWinchesterSquare，afterachainofhourswithhiscomparativelyardentfriends，hewanderedintothebigduskydining-room，wherethecandlehetookfromthehall-table，afterlettinghimselfin，constitutedtheonlyillumination。Thesquarewasstill，thehousewasstill。whenheraisedoneofthewindowsofthedining-roomtoletintheairheheardtheslowcreakofthebootsofaloneconstable。Hisownstep，intheemptyplace，seemedloudandsonorous。someofthecarpetshadbeenraised，andwheneverhemovedherousedamelancholyecho。Hesatdowninoneofthearmchairs。thebigdarkdiningtabletwinkledhereandthereinthesmallcandle-light。thepicturesonthewall，allofthemverybrown，lookedvagueandincoherent。Therewasaghostlypresenceasofdinnerslongsincedigested，oftable-talkthathadlostitsactuality。Thishintofthesupernaturalperhapshadsomethingtodowiththefactthathisimaginationtookaflightandthatheremainedinhischairalongtimebeyondthehouratwhichheshouldhavebeeninbed。doingnothing，notevenreadingtheeveningpaper。Isayhedidnothing，andImaintainthephraseinthefaceofthefactthathethoughtatthesemomentsofIsabel。TothinkofIsabelcouldonlybeforhimanidlepursuit，leadingtonothingandprofitinglittletoanyone。Hiscousinhadnotyetseemedtohimsocharmingasduringthesedaysspentinsounding，tourist-fashion，thedeepsandshallowsofthemetropolitanelement。
Isabelwasfullofpremises，conclusions，emotions。ifshehadcomeinsearchoflocalcolourshefounditeverywhere。Sheaskedmorequestionsthanhecouldanswer，andlaunchedbravetheories，astohistoriccauseandsocialeffect，thathewasequallyunabletoacceptortorefute。ThepartywentmorethanoncetotheBritishMuseumandtothatbrighterpalaceofartwhichreclaimsforantiquevarietysolargeanareaofamonotonoussuburb。theyspentamorningintheAbbeyandwentonapenny-steamertotheTower。theylookedatpicturesbothinpublicandprivatecollectionsandsatonvariousoccasionsbeneaththegreattreesinKensingtonGardens。
Henriettaprovedanindestructiblesight-seerandamorelenientjudgethanRalphhadventuredtohope。Shehadindeedmanydisappointments，andLondonatlargesufferedfromhervividremembranceofthestrongpointsoftheAmericancivicidea。butshemadethebestofitsdingydignitiesandonlyheavedanoccasionalsighandutteredadesultoryWell！whichlednofurtherandlostitselfinretrospect。Thetruthwasthat，asshesaidherself，shewasnotinherelement。I’venotasympathywithinanimateobjects，
sheremarkedtoIsabelattheNationalGallery。andshecontinuedtosufferfromthemeagrenessoftheglimpsethathadasyetbeenvouchsafedtoheroftheinnerlife。LandscapesbyTurnerandAssyrianbullswereapoorsubstitutefortheliterarydinner-partiesatwhichshehadhopedtomeetthegeniusandrenownofGreatBritain。
Whereareyourpublicmen，whereareyourmenandwomenofintellect？sheenquiredofRalph，standinginthemiddleofTrafalgarSquareasifshehadsupposedthistobeaplacewhereshewouldnaturallymeetafew。That’soneofthemonthetopofthecolumn，yousay-LordNelson？Washealordtoo？Wasn’thehighenough，thattheyhadtostickhimahundredfeetintheair？That’sthepast-I
don’tcareaboutthepast。Iwanttoseesomeoftheleadingmindsofthepresent。Iwon’tsayofthefuture，becauseIdon’tbelievemuchinyourfuture。PoorRalphhadfewleadingmindsamonghisacquaintanceandrarelyenjoyedthepleasureofbutton-holingacelebrity。astateofthingswhichappearedtoMissStackpoletoindicateadeplorablewantofenterprise。IfIwereontheothersideIshouldcall，shesaid，andtellthegentleman，whoeverhemightbe，thatIhadheardagreatdealabouthimandhadcometoseeformyself。ButIgatherfromwhatyousaythatthisisnotthecustomhere。Youseemtohaveplentyofmeaninglesscustoms，butnoneofthosethatwouldhelpalong。Weareinadvance，certainly。IsupposeI
shallhavetogiveupthesocialsidealtogether。andHenrietta，thoughshewentaboutwithherguidebookandpencilandwrotealettertotheInterviewerabouttheTowerinwhichshedescribedtheexecutionofLadyJaneGrey，hadasadsenseoffallingbelowhermission。
TheincidentthathadprecededIsabel’sdeparturefromGardencourtleftapainfultraceinouryoungwoman’smind：whenshefeltagaininherface，asfromarecurrentwave，thecoldbreathofherlastsuitor’ssurprise，shecouldonlymuffleherheadtilltheaircleared。Shecouldnothavedonelessthanwhatshedid。thiswascertainlytrue。Buthernecessity，allthesame，hadbeenasgracelessassomephysicalactinastrainedattitude，andshefeltnodesiretotakecreditforherconduct。Mixedwiththisimperfectpride，nevertheless，wasafeelingoffreedomwhichinitselfwassweetandwhich，asshewanderedthroughthegreatcitywithherill-matchedcompanions，occasionallythrobbedintoodddemonstrations。WhenshewalkedinKensingtonGardensshestoppedthechildrenmainlyofthepoorersortwhomshesawplayingonthegrass。sheaskedthemtheirnamesandgavethemsixpenceand，whentheywerepretty，kissedthem。Ralphnoticedthesequaintcharities。henoticedeverythingshedid。Oneafternoon，thathiscompanionsmightpassthetime，heinvitedthemtoteainWinchesterSquare，andhehadthehousesetinorderasmuchaspossiblefortheirvisit。Therewasanotherguesttomeetthem，anamiablebachelor，anoldfriendofRalph’swhohappenedtobeintownandforwhompromptcommercewithMissStackpoleappearedtohaveneitherdifficultynordread。Mr。Bantling，astout，sleek，smilingmanofforty，wonderfullydressed，universallyinformedandincoherentlyamused，laughedimmoderatelyateverythingHenriettasaid，gaveherseveralcupsoftea，examinedinhersocietythebric-a-brac，ofwhichRalphhadaconsiderablecollection，andafterwards，whenthehostproposedtheyshouldgooutintothesquareandpretenditwasafete-champetre，walkedroundthelimitedenclosureseveraltimeswithherand，atadozenturnsoftheirtalk，boundedresponsive-aswithapositivepassionforargument-
toherremarksupontheinnerlife。
Oh，Isee。IdaresayyoufounditveryquietatGardencourt。
Naturallythere’snotmuchgoingontherewhenthere’ssuchalotofillnessabout。Touchett’sverybad，youknow。thedoctorshaveforbiddenhisbeinginEnglandatall，andhehasonlycomebacktotakecareofhisfather。Theoldman，Ibelieve，hashalfadozenthingsthematterwithhim。Theycallitgout，buttomycertainknowledgehehasorganicdiseasesodevelopedthatyoumaydependuponithe’llgo，somedaysoon，quitequickly。Ofcoursethatsortofthingmakesadreadfullydullhouse。Iwondertheyhavepeoplewhentheycandosolittleforthem。ThenIbelieveMr。Touchett’salwayssquabblingwithhiswife。shelivesawayfromherhusband，youknow，inthatextraordinaryAmericanwayofyours。Ifyouwantahousewherethere’salwayssomethinggoingon，Irecommendyoutogodownandstaywithmysister，LadyPensil，inBedfordshire。I’llwritetohertomorrowandI’msureshe’llbedelightedtoaskyou。Iknowjustwhatyouwant-youwantahousewheretheygoinfortheatricalsandpicnicsandthatsortofthing。Mysister’sjustthatsortofwoman。
she’salwaysgettingupsomethingorotherandshe’salwaysgladtohavethesortofpeoplewhohelpher。I’msureshe’llaskyoudownbyreturnofpost：she’stremendouslyfondofdistinguishedpeopleandwriters。Shewritesherself，youknow。butIhaven’treadeverythingshehaswritten。It’susuallypoetry，andIdon’tgoinmuchforpoetry-unlessit’sByron。IsupposeyouthinkagreatdealofByroninAmerica，Mr。Bantlingcontinued，expandinginthestimulatingairofMissStackpole’sattention，bringinguphissequencespromptlyandchanginghistopicwithaneasyturnofhand。Yethenonethelessgracefullykeptinsightoftheidea，dazzlingtoHenrietta，ofhergoingtostaywithLadyPensilinBedfordshire。I
understandwhatyouwant。youwanttoseesomegenuineEnglishsport。TheTouchettsaren’tEnglishatall，youknow。theyhavetheirownhabits，theirownlanguage，theirownfood-someoddreligioneven，Ibelieve，oftheirown。Theoldmanthinksit’swickedtohunt，I’mtold。Youmustgetdowntomysister’sintimeforthetheatricals，andI’msureshe’llbegladtogiveyouapart。I’msureyouactwell。Iknowyou’reveryclever。Mysister’sfortyyearsoldandhassevenchildren，butshe’sgoingtoplaytheprincipalpart。Plainassheisshemakesupawfullywell-Iwillsayforher。Ofcourseyouneedn’tactifyoudon’twantto。
InthismannerMr。BantlingdeliveredhimselfwhiletheystrolledoverthegrassinWinchesterSquare，which，althoughithadbeenpepperedbytheLondonsoot，invitedthetreadtolinger。Henriettathoughtherblooming，easy-voicedbachelor，withhisimpressibilitytofemininemeritandhissplendidrangeofsuggestion，averyagreeableman，andshevaluedtheopportunityheofferedher。Idon’tknowbutIwouldgo，ifyoursistershouldaskme。Ithinkitwouldbemyduty。Whatdoyoucallhername？
Pensil。It’sanoddname，butitisn’tabadone。
Ithinkonename’sasgoodasanother。Butwhat’sherrank？
Oh，she’sabaron’swife。aconvenientsortofrank。You’refineenoughandyou’renottoofine。
Idon’tknowbutwhatshe’dbetoofineforme。Whatdoyoucalltheplaceshelivesin-Bedfordshire？
Shelivesawayinthenortherncornerofit。It’satiresomecountry，butIdaresayyouwon’tmindit。I’lltryandrundownwhileyou’rethere。
AllthiswasverypleasanttoMissStackpole，andshewassorrytobeobligedtoseparatefromLadyPensil’sobligingbrother。Butithappenedthatshehadmetthedaybefore，inPiccadilly，somefriendswhomshehadnotseenforayear：theMissClimbers，twoladiesfromWilmington，Delaware，whohadbeentravellingontheContinentandwerenowpreparingtore-embark。HenriettahadhadalonginterviewwiththemonthePiccadillypavement，andthoughthethreeladiesalltalkedatoncetheyhadnotexhaustedtheirstore。IthadbeenagreedthereforethatHenriettashouldcomeanddinewiththemintheirlodgingsinJermynStreetatsixo’clockonthemorrow，andshenowbethoughtherselfofthisengagement。ShepreparedtostartforJermynStreet，takingleavefirstofRalphTouchettandIsabel，who，seatedongardenchairsinanotherpartoftheenclosure，wereoccupied-ifthetermmaybeused-withanexchangeofamenitieslesspointedthanthepracticalcolloquyofMissStackpoleandMr。Bantling。WhenithadbeensettledbetweenIsabelandherfriendthattheyshouldbereunitedatsomereputablehouratPratt’sHotel，Ralphremarkedthatthelattermusthaveacab。Shecouldn’twalkallthewaytoJermynStreet。
Isupposeyoumeanit’simproperformetowalkalone！Henriettaexclaimed。Mercifulpowers，haveIcometothis？
There’snottheslightestneedofyourwalkingalone，Mr。Bantlinggailyinterposed。Ishouldbegreatlypleasedtogowithyou。
Isimplymeantthatyou’dbelatefordinner，Ralphreturned。
Thosepoorladiesmayeasilybelievethatwerefuse，atthelast，tospareyou。
Youhadbetterhaveahansom，Henrietta，saidIsabel。
I’llgetyouahansomifyou’lltrustme，Mr。Bantlingwenton。
Wemightwalkalittletillwemeetone。
Idon’tseewhyIshouldn’ttrusthim，doyou？HenriettaenquiredofIsabel。
Idon’tseewhatMr。Bantlingcoulddotoyou，Isabelobliginglyanswered。but，ifyoulike，we’llwalkwithyoutillyoufindyourcab。
Nevermind。we’llgoalone。Comeon，Mr。Bantling，andtakecareyougetmeagoodone。
Mr。Bantlingpromisedtodohisbest，andthetwotooktheirdeparture，leavingthegirlandhercousintogetherinthesquare，overwhichaclearSeptembertwilighthadnowbeguntogather。Itwasperfectlystill。thewidequadrangleofduskyhousesshowedlightsinnoneofthewindows，wheretheshuttersandblindswereclosed。thepavementswereavacantexpanse，and，puttingasidetwosmallchildrenfromaneighbouringslum，who，attractedbysymptomsofabnormalanimationintheinterior，pokedtheirfacesbetweentherustyrailsoftheenclosure，themostvividobjectwithinsightwasthebigredpillar-postonthesoutheastcorner。
HenriettawillaskhimtogetintothecabandgowithhertoJermynStreet，Ralphobserved。HealwaysspokeofMissStackpoleasHenrietta。
Verypossibly，saidhiscompanion。
Orrather，no，shewon’t，hewenton。ButBantlingwillaskleavetogetin。
Verylikelyagain。I’mverygladthey’resuchgoodfriends。
Shehasmadeaconquest。Hethinksherabrilliantwoman。Itmaygofar，saidRalph。
Isabelwasbrieflysilent。IcallHenriettaaverybrilliantwoman，butIdon’tthinkitwillgofar。Theywouldneverreallyknoweachother。Hehasnottheleastideawhatshereallyis，andshehasnojustcomprehensionofMr。Bantling。
There’snomoreusualbasisofunionthanamutualmisunderstanding。ButitoughtnottobesodifficulttounderstandBobBantling，Ralphadded。Heisaverysimpleorganism。
Yes，butHenrietta’sasimpleronestill。And，pray，whatamItodo？Isabelasked，lookingaboutherthroughthefadinglight，inwhichthelimitedlandscape-gardeningofthesquaretookonalargeandeffectiveappearance。Idon’timaginethatyou’llproposethatyouandI，forouramusement，shalldriveaboutLondoninahansom。
There’snoreasonweshouldn’tstayhere-ifyoudon’tdislikeit。It’sverywarm。therewillbehalfanhouryetbeforedark。andifyoupermititI’lllightacigarette。
Youmaydowhatyouplease，saidIsabel，ifyou’llamusemetillseveno’clock。Iproposeatthathourtogobackandpartakeofasimpleandsolitaryrepast-twopoachedeggsandamuffin-atPratt’sHotel。
Mayn’tIdinewithyou？Ralphasked。
No，you’lldineatyourclub。
Theyhadwanderedbacktotheirchairsinthecentreofthesquareagain，andRalphhadlightedhiscigarette。Itwouldhavegivenhimextremepleasuretobepresentinpersonatthemodestlittlefeastshehadsketched。butindefaultofthishelikedevenbeingforbidden。Forthemoment，however，helikedimmenselybeingalonewithher，inthethickeningdusk，inthecentreofthemultitudinoustown。itmadeherseemtodependuponhimandtobeinhispower。Thispowerhecouldexertbutvaguely。thebestexerciseofitwastoacceptherdecisionssubmissively-whichindeedtherewasalreadyanemotionindoing。Whywon’tyouletmedinewithyou？hedemandedafterapause。
BecauseIdon’tcareforit。
Isupposeyou’retiredofme。
Ishallbeanhourhence。YouseeIhavethegiftofforeknowledge。
Oh，Ishallbedelightfulmeanwhile，saidRalph。Buthesaidnothingmore，andasshemadenorejoindertheysatsometimeinastillnesswhichseemedtocontradicthispromiseofentertainment。
Itseemedtohimshewaspreoccupied，andhewonderedwhatshewasthinkingabout。thereweretwoorthreeverypossiblesubjects。Atlasthespokeagain。Isyourobjectiontomysocietythiseveningcausedbyyourexpectationofanothervisitor？
Sheturnedherheadwithaglanceofherclear，faireyes。
Anothervisitor？WhatvisitorshouldIhave？
Hehadnonetosuggest。whichmadehisquestionseemtohimselfsillyaswellasbrutal。You’veagreatmanyfriendsthatIdon’tknow。You’veawholepastfromwhichIwasperverselyexcluded。
Youwerereservedformyfuture。Youmustrememberthatmypastisoverthereacrossthewater。There’snoneofithereinLondon。
Verygood，then，sinceyourfutureisseatedbesideyou。Capitalthingtohaveyourfuturesohandy。AndRalphlightedanothercigaretteandreflectedthatIsabelprobablymeantshehadreceivednewsthatMr。CasparGoodwoodhadcrossedtoParis。Afterhehadlightedhiscigarettehepuffeditawhile，andthenheresumed。I
promisedjustnowtobeveryamusing。butyouseeIdon’tcomeuptothemark，andthefactisthere’sagooddealoftemerityinone’sundertakingtoamuseapersonlikeyou。Whatdoyoucareformyfeebleattempts？You’vegrandideas-you’veahighstandardinsuchmatters。Ioughtatleasttobringinabandofmusicoracompanyofmountebanks。
Onemountebank’senough，andyoudoverywell。Praygoon，andinanothertenminutesIshallbegintolaugh。
IassureyouI’mveryserious，saidRalph。Youdoreallyaskagreatdeal。
Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。Iasknothing！
Youacceptnothing，saidRalph。Shecoloured，andnowsuddenlyitseemedtoherthatsheguessedhismeaning。Butwhyshouldhespeaktoherofsuchthings？Hehesitatedalittleandthenhecontinued：
There’ssomethingIshouldlikeverymuchtosaytoyou。It’saquestionIwishtoask。ItseemstomeI’vearighttoaskit，becauseI’veakindofinterestintheanswer。
Askwhatyouwill，Isabelrepliedgently，andI’lltrytosatisfyyou。
Wellthen，Ihopeyouwon’tmindmysayingthatWarburtonhastoldmeofsomethingthathaspassedbetweenyou。
Isabelsuppressedastart。hesatlookingatheropenfan。Verygood。Isupposeitwasnaturalheshouldtellyou。
Ihavehisleavetoletyouknowhehasdoneso。Hehassomehopestill，saidRalph。
Still？
Hehaditafewdaysago。
Idon’tbelievehehasanynow，saidthegirl。
I’mverysorryforhimthen。he’ssuchanhonestman。
Pray，didheaskyoutotalktome？
No，notthat。Buthetoldmebecausehecouldn’thelpit。We’reoldfriends，andhewasgreatlydisappointed。Hesentmealineaskingmetocomeandseehim，andIdroveovertoLockleighthedaybeforeheandhissisterlunchedwithus。Hewasveryheavy-hearted。hehadjustgotaletterfromyou。
Didheshowyoutheletter？askedIsabelwithmomentaryloftiness。
Bynomeans。Buthetoldmeitwasaneatrefusal。Iwasverysorryforhim，Ralphrepeated。
ForsomemomentsIsabelsaidnothing。thenatlast，Doyouknowhowoftenhehadseenme？sheenquired。Fiveorsixtimes。
That’stoyourglory。
It’snotforthatIsayit。
Whatthendoyousayitfor？NottoprovethatpoorWarburton’sstateofmind’ssuperficial，becauseI’mprettysureyoudon’tthinkthat。
Isabelcertainlywasunabletosayshethoughtitbutpresentlyshesaidsomethingelse。Ifyou’venotbeenrequestedbyLordWarburtontoarguewithme，thenyou’redoingitdisinterestedly-orfortheloveofargument。
I’venowishtoarguewithyouatall。Ionlywishtoleaveyoualone。I’msimplygreatlyinterestedinyourownsentiments。
I’mgreatlyobligedtoyou！criedIsabelwithaslightlynervouslaugh。
OfcourseyoumeanthatI’mmeddlinginwhatdoesn’tconcernme。
Butwhyshouldn’tIspeaktoyouofthismatterwithoutannoyingyouorembarrassingmyself？What’stheuseofbeingyourcousinifIcan’thaveafewprivileges？What’stheuseofadoringyouwithouthopeofarewardifIcan’thaveafewcompensations？What’stheuseofbeingillanddisabledandrestrictedtomerespectatorshipatthegameoflifeifIreallycan’tseetheshowwhenI’vepaidsomuchformyticket？Tellmethis，Ralphwentonwhileshelistenedtohimwithquickenedattention。WhathadyouinmindwhenyourefusedLordWarburton？
WhathadIinmind？
Whatwasthelogic-theviewofyoursituation-thatdictatedsoremarkableanact？
Ididn’twishtomarryhim-ifthat’slogic。
No，that’snotlogic-andIknewthatbefore。It’sreallynothing，youknow。Whatwasityousaidtoyourself？Youcertainlysaidmorethanthat？
Isabelreflectedamoment，thenansweredwithaquestionofherown。
Whydoyoucallitaremarkableact？That’swhatyourmotherthinkstoo。
Warburton’ssuchathoroughgoodsort。asaman，Iconsiderhehashardlyafault。Andthenhe’swhattheycallherenoendofaswell。Hehasimmensepossessions，andhiswifewouldbethoughtasuperiorbeing。Heunitestheintrinsicandtheextrinsicadvantages。
Isabelwatchedhercousinastoseehowfarhewouldgo。I
refusedhimbecausehewastooperfectthen。I’mnotperfectmyself，andhe’stoogoodforme。Besides，hisperfectionwouldirritateme。
That’singeniousratherthancandid，saidRalph。Asafactyouthinknothingintheworldtooperfectforyou。
DoyouthinkI’msogood？
No，butyou’reexacting，allthesame，withouttheexcuseofthinkingyourselfgood。Nineteenwomenoutoftwenty，however，evenofthemostexactingsort，wouldhavemanagedtodowithWarburton。
Perhapsyoudon’tknowhowhehasbeenstalked。
Idon’twishtoknow。Butitseemstome，saidIsabel，thatonedaywhenwetalkedofhimyoumentionedoddthingsinhim。
Ralphsmokinglyconsidered。IhopethatwhatIsaidthenhadnoweightwithyou。fortheywerenotfaults，thethingsIspokeof：theyweresimplypeculiaritiesofhisposition。IfIhadknownhewishedtomarryyouI’dneverhavealludedtothem。IthinkIsaidthatasregardsthatpositionhewasratherasceptic。Itwouldhavebeeninyourpowertomakehimabeliever。
Ithinknot。Idon’tunderstandthematter，andI’mnotconsciousofanymissionofthatsort。You’reevidentlydisappointed，Isabeladded，lookingathercousinwithruefulgentleness。You’dhavelikedmetomakesuchamarriage。
Notintheleast。I’mabsolutelywithoutawishonthesubject。I
don’tpretendtoadviseyou，andIcontentmyselfwithwatchingyou-
withthedeepestinterest。
Shegaveratheraconscioussigh。IwishIcouldbeasinterestingtomyselfasIamtoyou！
Thereyou’renotcandidagain。you’reextremelyinterestingtoyourself。Doyouknow，however，saidRalph，thatifyou’vereallygivenWarburtonhisfinalanswerI’mrathergladithasbeenwhatitwas。Idon’tmeanI’mgladforyou，andstilllessofcourseforhim。I’mgladformyself。
Areyouthinkingofproposingtome？
Bynomeans。FromthepointofviewIspeakofthatwouldbefatal。
Ishouldkillthegoosethatsuppliesmewiththematerialofmyinimitableomelettes。Iusethatanimalasthesymbolofmyinsaneillusions。WhatImeanisthatIshallhavethethrillofseeingwhatayoungladydoeswhowon’tmarryLordWarburton。
That’swhatyourmothercountsupontoo，saidIsabel。
Ah，therewillbeplentyofspectators！Weshallhangontherestofyourcareer。Ishallnotseeallofit，butIshallprobablyseethemostinterestingyears。Ofcourseifyouweretomarryourfriendyou’dstillhaveacareer-averydecent，infactaverybrilliantone。Butrelativelyspeakingitwouldbealittleprosaic。
Itwouldbedefinitelymarkedoutinadvance。itwouldbewantingintheunexpected。YouknowI’mextremelyfondoftheunexpected，andnowthatyou’vekeptthegameinyourhandsIdependonyourgivingussomegrandexampleofit。
Idon’tunderstandyouverywell，saidIsabel，butIdosowellenoughtobeabletosaythatifyoulookforgrandexamplesofanythingfrommeIshalldisappointyou。
You’lldosoonlybydisappointingyourself-andthatwillgohardwithyou！
Tothisshemadenodirectreply。therewasanamountoftruthinitthatwouldbearconsideration。Atlastshesaidabruptly：Idon’tseewhatharmthereisinmywishingnottotiemyself。Idon’twanttobeginlifebymarrying。Thereareotherthingsawomancando。
There’snothingshecandosowell。Butyou’reofcoursesomany-sided。
Ifone’stwo-sidedit’senough，saidIsabel。
You’rethemostcharmingofpolygons！hercompanionbrokeout。
Ataglancefromhiscompanion，however，hebecamegrave，andtoproveitwenton：Youwanttoseelife-you’llbehangedifyoudon’t，astheyoungmensay。
Idon’tthinkIwanttoseeitastheyoungmenwanttoseeit。ButIdowanttolookaboutme。
Youwanttodrainthecupofexperience。
No，Idon’twishtotouchthecupofexperience。It’sapoisoneddrink！Ionlywanttoseeformyself。
Youwanttosee，butnottofeel，Ralphremarked。
Idon’tthinkthatifone’sasentientbeingonecanmakethedistinction。I’magooddeallikeHenrietta。TheotherdaywhenI
askedherifshewishedtomarryshesaid：’NottillI’veseenEurope！’Itoodon’twishtomarrytillI’veseenEurope。
Youevidentlyexpectacrownedheadwillbestruckwithyou。
No，thatwouldbeworsethanmarryingLordWarburton。Butit’sgettingverydark，Isabelcontinued，andImustgohome。Sherosefromherplace，butRalphonlysatstillandlookedather。Asheremainedthereshestopped，andtheyexchangedagazethatwasfulloneitherside，butespeciallyonRalph’s，ofutterancestoovagueforwords。
You’veansweredmyquestion，hesaidatlast。You’vetoldmewhatIwanted。I’mgreatlyobligedtoyou。
ItseemstomeI’vetoldyouverylittle。
You’vetoldmethegreatthing：thattheworldinterestsyouandthatyouwanttothrowyourselfintoit。
Hersilveryeyesshoneamomentinthedusk。Ineversaidthat。
Ithinkyoumeantit。Don’trepudiateit。It’ssofine！
Idon’tknowwhatyou’retryingtofastenuponme，forI’mnotintheleastanadventurousspirit。Womenarenotlikemen。
Ralphslowlyrosefromhisseatandtheywalkedtogethertothegateofthesquare。No，hesaid。womenrarelyboastoftheircourage。
Mendosowithacertainfrequency。
Menhaveittoboastof！
Womenhaveittoo。You’veagreatdeal。
EnoughtogohomeinacabtoPratt’sHotel，butnotmore。
Ralphunlockedthegate，andaftertheyhadpassedouthefastenedit。We’llfindyourcab，hesaid。andastheyturnedtowardaneighbouringstreetinwhichthisquestmightavailheaskedheragainifhemightn’tseehersafelytotheinn。
Bynomeans，sheanswered。you’reverytired。youmustgohomeandgotobed。
Thecabwasfound，andhehelpedherintoit，standingamomentatthedoor。WhenpeopleforgetI’mapoorcreatureI’moftenincommoded，hesaid。Butit’sworsewhentheyrememberit！
CHAPTER16
Shehadhadnohiddenmotiveinwishinghimnottotakeherhome。itsimplystruckherthatforsomedayspastshehadconsumedaninordinatequantityofhistime，andtheindependentspiritoftheAmericangirlwhomextravaganceofaidplacesinanattitudethatsheendsbyfindingaffectedhadmadeherdecidethatforthesefewhoursshemustsufficetoherself。Shehadmoreoveragreatfondnessforintervalsofsolitude，whichsinceherarrivalinEnglandhadbeenbutmeagrelymet。Itwasaluxuryshecouldalwayscommandathomeandshehadwittinglymissedit。Thatevening，however，anincidentoccurredwhich-hadtherebeenacritictonoteit-wouldhavetakenallcolourfromthetheorythatthewishtobequitebyherselfhadcausedhertodispensewithhercousin’sattendance。
Seatedtowardnineo’clockinthedimilluminationofPratt’sHotelandtryingwiththeaidoftwotallcandlestoloseherselfinavolumeshehadbroughtfromGardencourt，shesucceededonlytotheextentofreadingotherwordsthanthoseprintedonthepage-wordsthatRalphhadspokentoherthatafternoon。Suddenlythewell-muffledknuckleofthewaiterwasappliedtothedoor，whichpresentlygavewaytohisexhibition，evenasaglorioustrophy，ofthecardofavisitor。WhenthismementohadofferedtoherfixedsightthenameofMr。CasparGoodwoodsheletthemanstandbeforeherwithoutsignifyingherwishes。
ShallIshowthegentlemanup，ma’am？heaskedwithaslightlyencouraginginflexion。
Isabelhesitatedstillandwhileshehesitatedglancedatthemirror。Hemaycomein，shesaidatlast。andwaitedforhimnotsomuchsmoothingherhairasgirdingherspirit。
CasparGoodwoodwasaccordinglythenextmomentshakinghandswithher，butsayingnothingtilltheservanthadlefttheroom。Whydidn’tyouanswermyletter？hethenaskedinaquick，full，slightlyperemptorytone-thetoneofamanwhosequestionswerehabituallypointedandwhowascapableofmuchinsistence。
Sheansweredbyareadyquestion，HowdidyouknowIwashere？
MissStackpoleletmeknow，saidCasparGoodwood。Shetoldmeyouwouldprobablybeathomealonethiseveningandwouldbewillingtoseeme。
Wheredidsheseeyou-totellyouthat？
Shedidn’tseeme。shewrotetome。Isabelwassilent。neitherhadsatdown。theystoodtherewithanairofdefiance，oratleastofcontention。Henriettanevertoldmeshewaswritingtoyou，shesaidatlast。Thisisnotkindofher。
Isitsodisagreeabletoyoutoseeme？askedtheyoungman。
Ididn’texpectit。Idon’tlikesuchsurprises。
ButyouknewIwasintown。itwasnaturalweshouldmeet。
Doyoucallthismeeting？IhopedIshouldn’tseeyou。InsobigaplaceasLondonitseemedverypossible。
Itwasapparentlyrepugnanttoyoueventowritetome，hervisitorwenton。
Isabelmadenoreply。thesenseofHenriettaStackpole’streachery，asshemomentarilyqualifiedit，wasstrongwithinher。
Henrietta’scertainlynotamodelofallthedelicacies！sheexclaimedwithbitterness：Itwasagreatlibertytotake。
IsupposeI’mnotamodeleither-ofthosevirtuesorofanyothers。Thefault’smineasmuchashers。
AsIsabellookedathimitseemedtoherthathisjawhadneverbeenmoresquare。Thismighthavedispleasedher，butshetookadifferentturn。No，it’snotyourfaultsomuchashers。Whatyou’vedonewasinevitable，Isuppose，foryou。
Itwasindeed！criedCasparGoodwoodwithavoluntarylaugh。
AndnowthatI’vecome，atanyrate，mayn’tIstay？
Youmaysitdown，certainly。
Shewentbacktoherchairagain，whilehervisitortookthefirstplacethatoffered，inthemannerofamanaccustomedtopaylittlethoughttothatsortoffurtherance。I’vebeenhopingeverydayforananswertomyletter。Youmighthavewrittenmeafewlines。
Itwasn’tthetroubleofwritingthatpreventedme。Icouldaseasilyhavewrittenyoufourpagesasone。Butmysilencewasanintention，Isabelsaid。Ithoughtitthebestthing。
Hesatwithhiseyesfixedonherswhileshespoke。thenheloweredthemandattachedthemtoaspotinthecarpetasifheweremakingastrongefforttosaynothingbutwhatheought。Hewasastrongmaninthewrong，andhewasacuteenoughtoseethatanuncompromisingexhibitionofhisstrengthwouldonlythrowthefalsityofhispositionintorelief。Isabelwasnotincapableoftastinganyadvantageofpositionoverapersonofthisquality，andthoughlittledesiroustoflauntitinhisfaceshecouldenjoybeingabletosayYouknowyououghtn’ttohavewrittentomeyourself！andtosayitwithanairoftriumph。
CasparGoodwoodraisedhiseyestoherownagain。theyseemedtoshinethroughthevizardofahelmet。Hehadastrongsenseofjusticeandwasreadyanydayintheyear-overandabovethis-toarguethequestionofhisrights。Yousaidyouhopednevertohearfrommeagain。Iknowthat。ButIneveracceptedanysuchruleasmyown。I
warnedyouthatyoushouldhearverysoon。
Ididn’tsayIhopednevertohearfromyou，saidIsabel。
Notforfiveyearsthen。fortenyears。twentyyears。It’sthesamething。
Doyoufinditso？Itseemstomethere’sagreatdifference。Icanimaginethatattheendoftenyearswemighthaveaverypleasantcorrespondence。Ishallhavematuredmyepistolarystyle。
Shelookedawaywhileshespokethesewords，knowingthemofsomuchlessearnestacastthanthecountenanceofherlistener。Hereyes，however，atlastcamebacktohim，justashesaidveryirrelevantly：Areyouenjoyingyourvisittoyouruncle？
Verymuchindeed。Shedropped，butthenshebrokeout。Whatgooddoyouexpecttogetbyinsisting？
Thegoodofnotlosingyou。
You’venorighttotalkoflosingwhat’snotyours。Andevenfromyourownpointofview，Isabeladded，yououghttoknowwhentoletonealone。
Idisgustyouverymuch，saidCasparGoodwoodgloomily。notasiftoprovokehertocompassionforamanconsciousofthisblightingfact，butasiftosetitwellbeforehimself，sothathemightendeavourtoactwithhiseyesonit。
Yes，youdon’tatalldelightme，youdon’tfitin，notinanyway，justnow，andtheworstisthatyourputtingittotheproofinthismannerisquiteunnecessary。Itwasn’tcertainlyasifhisnaturehadbeensoft，sothatpin-prickswoulddrawbloodfromit。andfromthefirstofheracquaintancewithhim，andofherhavingtodefendherselfagainstacertainairthathehadofknowingbetterwhatwasgoodforherthansheknewherself，shehadrecognizedthefactthatperfectfranknesswasherbestweapon。Toattempttosparehissensibilityortoescapefromhimedgewise，asonemightdofromamanwhohadbarredthewaylesssturdily-this，indealingwithCasparGoodwood，whowouldgraspateverythingofeverysortthatonemightgivehim，waswastedagility。Itwasnotthathehadnotsusceptibilities，buthispassivesurface，aswellashisactive，waslargeandhard，andhemightalwaysbetrustedtodresshiswounds，sofarastheyrequiredit，himself。Shecameback，evenforhermeasureofpossiblepangsandachesinhim，toheroldsensethathewasnaturallyplatedandsteeled，armedessentiallyforaggression。
Ican’treconcilemyselftothat，hesimplysaid。Therewasadangerousliberalityaboutit。forshefelthowopenitwastohimtomakethepointthathehadnotalwaysdisgustedher。
Ican’treconcilemyselftoiteither，andit’snotthestateofthingsthatoughttoexistbetweenus。Ifyou’donlytrytobanishmefromyourmindforafewmonthsweshouldbeongoodtermsagain。
Isee。IfIshouldceasetothinkofyouatallforaprescribedtime，IshouldfindIcouldkeepitupindefinitely。
IndefinitelyismorethanIask。It’smoreeventhanIshouldlike。
Youknowthatwhatyouaskisimpossible，saidtheyoungman，takinghisadjectiveforgrantedinamannershefoundirritating。
Aren’tyoucapableofmakingacalculatedeffort？shedemanded。
You’restrongforeverythingelse。whyshouldn’tyoubestrongforthat？
Aneffortcalculatedforwhat？Andthenasshehungfire，I’mcapableofnothingwithregardtoyou，hewenton，butjustofbeinginfernallyinlovewithyou。Ifone’sstrongonelovesonlythemorestrongly。